11-05-2018 Park Commission Packet

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• I love that you are considering native plants in the form of Rain Gardens, to help filter water run-off and reduce nutrient offload in the vulnerable Long Lake. Please continue to emphasize native plantings and additional rain gardens when possible as a presence on the trail, ideally on BOTH sides of the trail. Long roots of native plants help filter run off and improve water quality, and provide a natural boundary to the lake, preventing erosion and increasing the water quality! Consider also the opportunity to involve Otten Bros., to get plantings (supporting our local retailers!), and also to provide landscaping advice and consultation for shady areas, where traditional rain gardens may not be feasible. Additional considerations/comments - • Please consider a permeable trail, to reduce run-off and increase the absorption of water and nutrients into land surrounding the lake, vs. in the lake. • Also very much appreciate the defined entry points to the lake (ie, the boulder canoe entry spot) vs. open entry all along the trail, both in terms of run-off mitigation, but also so that it reduces some of the heavy shoreline usage and the erosion that happens as a consequence, in such a vulnerable area. EDUCATIONAL SIGNAGE: • Please add additional, low footprint educational signage on the trail - topics could including calling out native plants, plant/tree/bird identification, mapping out the area (like at Lurton park), education on invasive species prevention (washing boats, etc.) and wetland/water quality issues. • Would appreciate signs detailing some of the background on native American presence in the area (the story behind the graveyard location is particularly interesting), and history /map of early settlers. Additional considerations/comments - • Love the entry signage, announcing the trail heads and the guidelines for usage. • Consider asking local businesses to "sponsor" sections of the trail to pay for the signage/cleanup. FACILITIES: • Please add trash cans to prevent litter, with specific stations to provide "poop" bags for dog walkers, and disposal sites for the animal waste. • Please de-emphasize lighting, and/or use primarily "down" lighting at night, to reduce light pollution around the lake. Additional considerations/comments - • Love the picnic tables and areas for recreational usage. Would love a shaded pergola, much like in Lurton Park. • Love the canoe launching area. • Consider installing or allowing the installation by neighbors and citizens of birdhouses, and bird nesting areas for birders and photographers to enjoy. • Consider writing the code to allow a future "little free library" along the trail, for children to enjoy, and/or future public artwork emphasizing nature/water and or/ our interactions with nature. • Please consider adding a "Biffy" or enclosed toilet facility for the public at one of the trail heads. If you do decide to add plumbing, please also consider a water fountain (for use in refilling water bottles). • Please consider adding a bike rack at the trail heads. Trail is on a regional route for TRPD and HC. Regional trail standard is 10ft wide paved. However this does represent a ~50% reduction in hardcover (ATE) Trash cans currently available next to parking lot. Could add a dog poop bag dispenser at or near the informational signs (ATE) Table pergolas at Lurton are there due to the lack of tree cover/ shade. Trail should have plenty of natural shade. (ATE) Biffy is already available at Southern end. (ATE) Can add city Standard Bike Racks to Summit beach. . (ATE)